Pike County changes policy on felony crime victims' names

MCCOMB -- The Pike County Sheriff's Department has started withholding the names of victims in felony cases reported to the media.

Chief Investigator Bruce Fairburn tells the Enterprise-Journal that the release of victims' names can lead to other problems for the victims and can pose investigative problems.

Fairburn says the sheriff's department hasn't had any complaints from victims who have been identified in the media but he believes the department has been lucky that not many people have been re-victimized.

The change in policy came this past week.

Chief Deputy Steve Rushing says officials will continue to release names of victims involved with high-profile crimes such as murder cases, but not for cases like property thefts.

Sheriff Mark Shepherd says he will be talking with media organizations about the change.